Lol! Let's get all dramatic like it's some kind of mind blowing performance. Dude, you're a yuppy without rhythm beating on a trash can like a two year old. Oh, what an age in which we live...
"with features such as a water system that put medieval Europe to shame." What kind of statement is that?
Romans mastered the first aqueduct in 312 BC. This article places us in the 13th century, some 1500 years later. By then, European modeled civilization was so far advanced that she has ruled the world ever since.
Applause helps to create a relationship between musician and listener. However, music performed acoustically (lacking artificial amplification, as with chamber music) requires some restriction of audience participation in order to remain audible. For that purpose, it is a matter of common courtesy.
In my opinion, the reference being made to Harry Potter seriously underrates the enchanting beauty of it. In 1914, little things like this were still very organic and real.
Romans mastered the first aqueduct in 312 BC. This article places us in the 13th century, some 1500 years later. By then, European modeled civilization was so far advanced that she has ruled the world ever since.